[BaltimoreBob]

I took the test this weekend

psychcentral dot com /cgi-bin/autismquiz dot cgi

I scored a 32 or Possible Autistic.

I came to the conclusion in my 61st year
that I'm Autistic because I'm unable to tell a LIE
or I have Tremendous Courage and I figured out 55 years ago
that Telling the Truth on a regular basis would be BEST.

I have a 15 year old son and he also is Autistic
while my ex (his Mother) has two perfectly normal
fairly intelligent kids with a previous husband
a boy born in 1984 and a daughter born in 1983.
Both sons are Rats (Chinese New Year)
So I'm the difference between the three kids.

I play softball on Sunday mornings and this Sunday
I was saying how I diagnosed myself Autistic
and the guy who runs the softball put his arms around me
and states nope an Autistic person would not let someone
touch them but I believe he's wrong.
Sheldon has been in my life for the past 10 years
since I first showed for softball in April 2001.
I wouldn't say I was really comfortable with it
but I don't really like anyone touching me
other then an attractive gal.
Sheldon is about 12 years older then myself.

So if anyone knows more about what it's like to be
Autistic then let me know.

Thank You
Baltimore Bob

[Omers]

I am diagnosed aspi but in the next DSM they are putting the two together and everyone will be Auti.
We seem to be very different in many ways but there are a lot of differences between people with autism. I am also female which makes a difference.
IMO it is worth it to get officially diagnosed. It was one of the best things I have done for myself.
I love hugs and other deep pressure but don't like light touch. Temple Grandon talks a lot about how deep pressure helps people with autism. Temple Grandon's book "Emergence, labeled Autistic" is worth a read if you want to know more about others experience being autistic.

[Night*Blossum]

The test interested me so I took it. Score came out to be a 21. I'm not autistic but my older brother is. I'm not sure if I could be of much help to you. If you really do have autism you certainly are far more functioning than my older bother. He's non-verbal and he has a mind of a four-year old and he's almost going to be eighteen in a few weeks. Though you should consider your situation a very lucky one. You seem to be a very high-functioning autistic, especially if people don't really notice it. If you have any questions though, I wouldn't mind trying to answer them. :]

[BaltimoreBob]

What is the differences between Autism and Retardness ?

My son when I was in his life in his early years seemed smarter
then I was at the same age.
I didn't really learn to talk until almost 1st grade at age 6.
Teacher helped me pass 1st grade and after that I had
no problem with school.
I ended up getting a Associate in Science Degree from Peirce JC
in Philadelphia, PA after attending two years at Drexel University.
I served 4 years in the US Navy prior to College
and one year in Vietnam.
I believe Vietnam was a bad experience
and a wrong forced on us that were sent there.
I believe all Vietnam Vets should be paid Reparations.
Then after numerous years I was screwed in a Divorce
by a woman who took advantage of my weakness
my possible autism and I haven't been able to be with
my son since he was like 5 years old as he is 15 this year.
All my son has to do to see me is smarten up
and all he has to do is complain constantly to his mother
about seeing his father and then maybe she hits him
and he then tells someone at his school.
As my ex use to hit me on a regular basis
when she she lost it.
She would reach a point of anger
when she had no problem hitting me.
I believe she was Bi-polar and Scisophrenic.

Americans treat Females much better then Males.
Americans FEEL Sorry for Women.

Baltimore Bob